City University of New York (CUNY) CUNY Academic Works All Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects 2-2014 Melodic Function and Modal Process in Gregorian Chant Richard Porterfield Graduate Center, City University of New York How does access to this work benefit ou?y Let us know! More information about this work at: https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/92 Discover additional works at: https://academicworks.cuny.edu This work is made publicly available by the City University of New York (CUNY). Contact:
[email protected] MELODIC FUNCTION AND MODAL PROCESS IN GREGORIAN CHANT by RICHARD PORTERFIELD A dissertation submitted to the Graduate Faculty in Music in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy The City University of New York 2014 ii © 2014 RICHARD PORTERFIELD All Rights Reserved iii This manuscript has been read and accepted by the Graduate faculty in Music in satisfaction of the dissertation requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Codex hic lectus acceptusque est William Rothstein ____________________ ___________________________________ Date Chair of Examining Committee Norman Carey ____________________ ___________________________________ Date Acting Executive Officer Ruth DeFord ___________________________________ Anne Stone ___________________________________ Joseph Straus ___________________________________ iv Abstract MELODIC FUNCTION AND MODAL PROCESS IN GREGORIAN CHANT by RICHARD PORTERFIELD Advisor: Professor William Rothstein This study proposes a theory and method of analysis for voice leading in the melody of Gregorian chant. It draws on historical theories and practices, particularly those of the cantus tradition which 1) pre-dates the imposition on Western ecclesiastical chant of scale theories based in the Ancient Greek science of harmonics, 2) observes and predicts actual melodic behavior, and 3) remains basic to pedagogy through the centuries.